DE202011110101U1 - Wärmetauscheranordung - Google Patents

Abstract

Heat exchanger arrangement with tubes (2) which are arranged in a module (1) parallel at a distance from one another and through which a fluid can flow and which run between two transverse header tubes (3, 4) through which the fluid can also flow, at least one of the header tubes (3, 4) has at least one connection (6) for an inlet or outlet of the fluid, characterized in that the module (1) is designed as an integral plastic part.

Description

The invention relates to a heat exchanger arrangement with parallel in a module arranged at a distance from each other, can be traversed by a fluid pipes extending between two also flowed through by the fluid transverse manifolds, wherein at least one of the manifolds has at least one connection for an inlet or outlet of the fluid.

Heat exchanger assemblies of this type are known in numerous embodiments and for numerous applications.

For example, radiator arrangements are known which consist of parallel to each other with hot water pipes, which extend from one - for example square - manifold to another - for example, also square - manifold. In this case, the one header with the hot water inlet and the other manifold with the hot water return can be connected. Such radiators are suitable as a towel dryer because wet towels can be inserted into the distance between two tubes and dried in a large-area contact with a larger number of tubes. The production of such radiators is done regularly by a welded connection between the parallel tubes and the headers. These radiators are made of metal.

Heat exchanger assemblies of this type are also known as solar collectors when formed from a black, heat radiation absorbing material. They can then be placed as appropriate modules on a roof, for example, to heat water flowing through during solar radiation.

Other applications have been envisaged in which refrigerant flows through the tubes, extracting heat from the air surrounding the heat exchanger assembly, and elsewhere provide the absorbed energy elsewhere, for example via a phase change process.

A general problem of such heat exchanger arrangements is that their manufacture is very complicated to produce due to the production of the connection between the parallel tubes and the headers, which is done regularly by welding. The resulting high selling price precludes the widespread use of such heat exchanger arrangements.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a way for an inexpensive production of the heat exchanger assembly of the type mentioned.

To achieve this object, a heat exchanger assembly according to the invention of the type mentioned is characterized in that the module is designed as a one-piece plastic part.

The heat exchanger assembly according to the invention thus takes the opposite heat exchanger assemblies made of metal slightly inferior heat conduction between the fluid within the tubes and the fluid surrounding the pipes by the production of plastic in purchasing. However, the usual manufacturing methods for plastic parts are not intended to produce complicated parts, such as a generic heat exchanger assembly. Plastic pipes are usually produced by extrusion, which is thus suitable only for the production of the individual parts of the module. For injection molding, a generic heat exchanger assembly is also not suitable because in addition to the outer contour defining tool halves perpendicular to the Entformungsrichtung the mold halves movable cores should be used, for their movement, however, no space is available because of the headers.

The one-piece production of the module according to the invention succeeds surprisingly by the use of rotational molding. The rotational molding of plastic parts is done by means of two mold halves, which are connected to form a closed mold and have a closed cavity. In the cavity, a powdered plastic is introduced and plasticized by heat, whereupon the mold rotates slowly in all spatial directions, so that the thermoplastic material is distributed under the influence of Erdanziehung by the rotational movement on the inner wall of the mold and cured due to the cooling of the mold. In this way, a hardened wall thickness, the uniformity can be ensured by the predetermined rotational movement of the mold. This rotational molding is thus known for large-area hollow body. In accordance with the present invention, rotational molding is now used to integrally form a complicated module so that any connection between plastic parts can be eliminated. The complicated structure of the heat exchanger arrangement produced in one piece according to the invention results from the fact that the multiplicity of tubes preferably arranged parallel to one another in a plane is at least five, in particular at least eight, in particular at least ten and preferably at least twelve. In a preferred embodiment of the invention is the Number of pipes preferably arranged in a plane parallel to each other between twenty and thirty. The outer dimensions of the tubes can be a minimum of 10 mm and a maximum of 80 mm. Preferably, the outer dimensions of the tubes are between 15 and 50 mm, more preferably between 20 and 30 mm. The external dimensions do not have to be constant, since oval tubes can be used with advantage. In one example, the smallest outer dimension is 20 mm and the largest outer dimension is 30 mm. The tubes have - as the module in total - preferably a wall thickness of 2 to 3 mm. In special cases, the wall thickness can also be made larger, for example up to 6 mm.

It has surprisingly been found that such a complicated component, such as the described module of a heat exchanger assembly is integrally produced, in particular by rotational molding. As an alternative manufacturing process, the blow molding process related to the rotational molding process is also contemplated, as is the twin-sheet thermoforming process. A general problem with in-plane heat exchanger assemblies is that they have a significant area requirement due to the spacing between the parallel pipes and therefore, for example an arrangement on a roof surface to cover this very expansive. In some cases, there is no sufficient roof surface available for such a heat exchanger arrangement for certain applications.

In order to give rise to a smaller area requirement for the heat exchanger assembly with the same effectiveness, the invention proposes that in a heat exchanger assembly of the type mentioned two modules against a relative displacement secured to each other with the headers are arranged one above the other. For this measure, the formation of superimposed modules of the heat exchanger assembly is not necessarily required as a one-piece plastic part, but particularly advantageous because of the inexpensive construction.

Although heat exchanger arrangements of the generic type have been used in the aforementioned embodiments, it is not known to arrange modules one above the other so that several modules have a common area requirement which is smaller than the corresponding multiple of the area requirements of the individual modules. In particular, it is useful according to the invention if two or more modules are arranged one above the other, since their common area requirement only corresponds to the space requirement of a single module, because the modules are in register with each other in the height direction. In this way, creates a compact heat exchanger assembly, which forms a common clean and aesthetically sophisticated conclusion by the stacked and abutting manifolds. It is made use of the knowledge that in a heat exchanger assembly of the generic type, the heat transfer between the outer fluid and the fluid flowing through the pipes is not regularly with the desired effectiveness, when the outer fluid passes along only one layer of the parallel tubes. It has therefore been found to be advantageous for numerous applications when a plurality of modules are arranged one above the other, so that, for example, a transversely to the surface of the modules vorbeistreichende flow past several layers of the parallel tubes. Particularly preferred are two to five, in particular three or four layers.

In a preferred embodiment, the headers have at least on one side of the module on a flat contact surface, which lies above a juxtaposed tubes touching virtual surface plane. This makes it possible that the contact surfaces of the manifolds abut each other and so can form a stable connection with each other. The headers may have a square or polygonal cross-section, from which the flat contact surface automatically results. However, it is preferred if the manifolds have a circular cross-section for which the planar contact surface forms a secant. Such an embodiment is particularly suitable for the preferred embodiment of the heat exchanger assembly made of a plastic material. In this case, the mutually parallel tubes are preferably formed with an oval cross-section.

A module of a heat exchanger arrangement according to the invention may have a number n of headers, between which (n-1) groups of tubes running parallel to one another are arranged. The number n may expediently be between 2 and 4, so that a single group of mutually parallel tubes is present or several groups of such mutually parallel tubes are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction.

The module formed with the tubes running parallel to one another preferably has a central transverse strut, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the tubes, by means of which the module can be fastened on a support arrangement. The central strut can only overlap the tubes or preferably be designed as a manifold itself. The attachment to the central strut is preferably carried out in the central region of the longitudinal direction of the central strut, so that the module is mounted in its center, for example, at two attachment points, which are close to each other. By this quasi-approximately punctiform fastening device can be taken into account the fact that a module formed of plastic material at widely different ambient temperatures produces significant differences in length, which do not lead to too large stresses at the attachment points at a center, approximately punctiform attachment.

Securing the heat exchanger assembly according to the invention against a relative displacement of the modules to each other can be done by external connection means. However, it is preferred to design the modules in such a way that they already have these securing means in an integrated form. In a preferred embodiment, the headers are provided with cams in a surface and cam receptacles in the opposite surface to ensure the displacement safety when lying flat on the contact surface.

It is advantageous if the cams and cam receivers are each arranged rotationally symmetrically for a rotation through 180 ° of the module about a perpendicular to a plane spanned by the parallel tubes plane of rotation. The bottom of a module can then be placed on the top of a lower module in two rotated by 180 ° to each other positions. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the headers have end faces which are aligned one above the other in the mounted state of the at least two modules in the vertical direction and of which the tubes of the modules have a different distance such that the tubes of two superimposed modules in a first connection position aligned in the height direction and in a second connection position, in which one of the modules is rotated about its vertical axis by 180 °, the tubes of the two modules are arranged in a gap to each other. As a result, the heat exchanger arrangement according to the invention can be formed, depending on the application, with tubes which are aligned with one another in the height direction or with tubes offset by half the distance width from each other. The former embodiment allows flow through the heat exchanger assembly with a low flow resistance, while the second embodiment provides a more intense heat exchange with a somewhat increased flow resistance.

These variants of the heat exchanger assembly can be built with modules that are completely identical parts. Of course, this is very important for the plastic production of the modules, since a single tool is needed for the production of the modules.

The superimposed modules may each have an inlet and a drain as separate modules, but in a particular embodiment of the invention may also be fluidly connected to one another, for example via the cam arrangements, so as to have a common inlet and a common outlet in the overall arrangement. In both embodiments, an inlet and a drain can be structurally provided on both end faces of the respective module delimiting manifolds, which - depending on the application - remain closed or can be opened.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the modules are produced in one piece from plastic. Such a one-piece production of the non-trivial module succeeds by a rotational form in which liquid plastic in a form evenly distributed on the walls of the mold when the mold is moved systematically in all degrees of freedom, so that when cooling the plastic on the walls of the Form uniform wall thicknesses from the cooled plastic form. Such rotational molding is known in principle to a person skilled in the art and allows here the one-piece production of the modules of the heat exchanger arrangement.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing. Show it:

1 a perspective view of a module according to the illustrated embodiment of the invention;

2 a plan view of the module according to 1 ;

3 a side view of the module according to 2 in the longitudinal direction of the tubes, that is on a manifold;

4 a side view in the transverse direction of the mutually parallel tubes;

5 a plan view according to 2 on a package of three modules arranged on top of each other;

6 a section along the line EE in 5 ,

1 leaves a module produced in one piece by rotational molding 1 recognize that from two groups of parallel and spaced tubes 2 consists, with the tubes two each between two headers 3 . 4 run. The headers 3 thereby forming end-collecting pipes into which the pipes 2 only one-sided, while the manifold 4 a central manifold is in which the pipes 2 from two opposite sides open.

It is possible to use the central manifold 4 by replacing a central strut that is not designed to flow with fluid from the pipes 2 is formed, but the pipes 2 in the 1 thus would have a double length, center only to mechanically stabilize.

As 4 clarified, however, is the in 1 illustrated preferred embodiment with a central manifold 4 formed, in which the pipes 2 open on both sides and that for the guidance of fluid from the pipes 2 is provided and designed.

2 shows a plan view of an upper side of the module 1 , It makes it clear that the headers 3 . 4 at both ends mutually aligned end faces 5 exhibit. At the end manifolds 3 protrudes from the faces 5 one connecting piece each 6 out, which is initially closed and can be opened if necessary, so as to serve as an inlet or as a drain for a fluid. It can be seen that the central manifold 4 such a connection piece 6 does not have. The headers 3 . 4 are each with a protruding from the surface upwards cams 7 . 8th provided, wherein the cams 7 on the end collecting pipes 3 are arranged diagonally to each other while the cam 8th on the central manifold 4 in the with the longitudinal axis of the manifold 4 is arranged. The headers 3 . 4 have at the identical places on their underside corresponding (in 2 not shown) cam recordings. As will be explained in more detail, the arrangement of the cam 7 . 8th rotationally symmetric about the through the central cam 8th extending vertical axis, so that in 2 illustrated module 1 on top of an identical module 1 in the illustrated position, but also in a 180 ° about the vertical axis through the cam 8th rotated position can be placed.

2 makes it clear that the pipes 2 each have an equal distance from each other, but that the end face 5 on in 2 right end of the headers 3 . 4 to the face 5 has a certain distance A, which is on the other (in the plane of the 2 left) page does not find. The distance A corresponds to half a pipe width when the tailpipe 2 on the other side with the face 5 in alignment. If a small distance is also formed here, the distance A corresponds to the small distance plus half the distance between the tubes 2 ,

3 clarifies that the cams 7 In contrast, an equal distance from the associated end faces 5 exhibit. Accordingly close the end faces 5 always in alignment with each other, regardless of whether the module 1 in 2 in the illustrated first mounting position or in a 180 ° about the vertical axis through the cam 8th rotated second mounting position on a lower module 1 is up.

2 also leaves two through holes 9 recognize that symmetrical to the middle cam 8th of the middle manifold 4 are arranged and serve the attachment of the module on a support structure. The through holes are spaced apart by less than 1/3 of the width of the module 1 However, although a non-rotatable attachment is possible, however, effects due to changes in length of the material of the module on the fasteners passing through the through holes 9 protrude, be kept low.

5 shows a plan view of a module assembly with three modules 1 , at the interstices between the pipes 2 are not recognizable, because the spaces between the pipes 2 filled by tubes of a lower layer. This is indicated by the sectional view in 6 clarified. The sectional view shows three modules 1 , which are laid flat on each other, because their headers 3 . 4 , which are formed with a per se circular cross-section, both at the top and at the bottom of a flattened contact surface 10 have, as in particular 4 is recognizable. The contact surfaces 10 therefore cut the cross section in the manner of a secant.

6 leaves the central cam 8th at the top of the modules 1 recognize that in corresponding cam receivers 8th' engage on the bottom of the modules. In a similar way, the cams engage 7 in corresponding (not shown) cam recordings, regardless of whether the module 1 is placed on a lower module in the first or in the second mounting position.

6 shows an upper module 1 , opposite the two lower modules 1 180 ° about the axis through the cam 8th turned up, so that the pipes 2 opposite the pipes 2 the lower modules 1 are offset by half a distance width, ie each gap to the tubes 2 of the module below 1 are located. On the other hand, the two lower modules 1 arranged in the same mounting position, so that the pipes 2 the two lower modules 1 aligned with each other.

6 also shows that the pipes 2 have an oval cross-section, in which the longer axis in the vertical direction of the module 1 located and the shorter axis in the transverse direction. This will cause the packet of modules to flow through 1 from bottom to top (in 6 from right to left) and the resulting pass on the surface of the tubes 2 optimized.

6 also shows that both the two lower modules 1 as well as the module lying on top 1 , which is placed in the other mounting position, with the end faces 5 the headers 3 . 4 Aligned so that - regardless of the selected mounting position - a compact and handsome appearance of the stacked modules 1 is ensured formed heat exchanger.

In a preferred application, four modules 1 connected to a module package, four module packages arranged side by side, so that 16 modules 1 with an area requirement of four modules 1 be used. The fluid connection of the module packages with each other via appropriately selected connection piece 6 individual modules 1 ,

Claims (15)

Heat exchanger assembly with in a module ( 1 ) arranged parallel with each other at a distance, can be flowed through by a fluid pipes ( 2 ), which can also be passed between two transversal collecting pipes (also through which the fluid can flow) ( 3 . 4 ), wherein at least one of the headers ( 3 . 4 ) at least one connection ( 6 ) for an inlet or outlet of the fluid, characterized in that the module ( 1 ) is formed as a one-piece plastic part. Heat exchanger arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two modules ( 1 ) secured against relative displacement to each other with the headers ( 3 . 4 ) are arranged one above the other. Heat exchanger arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the collecting pipes ( 3 . 4 ) at least on one side of the module a flat contact surface ( 10 ), which above one of the juxtaposed tubes ( 2 ) touching virtual surface plane. Heat exchanger arrangement according to one of claims 1 or 3, characterized in that the tubes ( 2 ) have an oval cross-section. Heat exchanger arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the collecting pipes ( 3 . 4 ) have a circular or oval cross section, for which the flat contact surface ( 10 ) forms a secant. Heat exchanger arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a module ( 1 ) has a number n of headers between which (n-1) groups of parallel running tubes ( 2 ) are arranged. Heat exchanger arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the module ( 1 ) has a central transverse strut, by means of which the module ( 1 ) can be fastened on a support arrangement. Heat exchanger arrangement according to claim 7, characterized in that the central strut by a central manifold ( 4 ) is formed. Heat exchanger arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the collecting pipes ( 3 . 4 ) Cam ( 8th ) in a surface and cam receivers ( 8th' ) in the opposite surface to prevent displacement when flat abutment of the contact surfaces ( 10 ) of two modules ( 1 ) exhibit. Heat exchanger arrangement according to claim 9, characterized in that the cams ( 8th ) and cam receivers ( 8th' ) each rotationally symmetric for a rotation through 180 ° of the module ( 1 ) about a perpendicular to one of the parallel tubes ( 2 ) Spanned plane standing axis of rotation are arranged. Heat exchanger arrangement according to one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the collecting pipes ( 3 . 4 ) End faces ( 5 ), which in the assembled state of the at least two modules ( 1 ) are aligned one above the other in the vertical direction. Heat exchanger arrangement according to claim 11, characterized in that the tubes ( 2 ) of the modules ( 1 ) from the end faces ( 5 ) have a different distance, so that the tubes ( 2 ) of two superimposed modules in a first connection position in the height direction are aligned with each other and in a second connection position in which one of the modules ( 1 ) is rotated about its vertical axis by 180 °, the tubes ( 2 ) of the two modules ( 1 ) are arranged in a gap to each other. Heat exchanger arrangement according to one of claims 2 to 12, characterized in that the modules ( 1 ) are identical parts. Heat exchanger arrangement according to one of claims 2 to 13, characterized in that at least two mutually adjacent modules ( 1 ) fluidly interconnected and have a common inlet and a common outlet. Heat exchanger arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the modules ( 1 ) are manufactured in one piece by rotational molding.

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